Associate Vice President of Principal Giving
WICHITA, KS
Full Time
Senior Manager/Supervisor
Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement is seeking an experienced and dynamic Associate Vice President of Principal Giving to lead strategic efforts in securing principal-level gifts that fuel innovation, student success, and institutional growth. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of philanthropy by cultivating deep relationships with high-net-worth donors and aligning their passions with the Wichita State University’s bold priorities. You’ll work closely with senior leadership, including the President & CEO and SVP of Development, and lead a high-performing team dedicated to excellence in donor engagement and stewardship.
With a team of more than 50 dedicated individuals working to support fundraising and donor and alumni relationships, the WSUFAE is proud to champion the continued growth of Wichita State University. With nearly $400 million in managed assets and thousands of alumni spread around the world, it is an exciting time to be a part of advancing Shocker Nation.
The job duties for this position include:
Job Requirements
Key Metrics for Success
Skills
Physical Requirements
Preferred Requirements and Skills
WSUFAE believes in the power of education. Since 1965, we have worked to connect the students, faculty, and staff of Wichita State University with the resources they need to transform their communities. Our dedicated staff includes members of the development, annual fund, finance, support, and student teams. We have accomplished big goals in the last few years and don't plan to slow down anytime soon.
With a mission built on our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, and service, we strive to be an inclusive and equitable work environment. Managers are expected to model this behavior by clearly setting expectations and directly addressing non-inclusive behavior. In our pursuit to build and maintain a high-performing team, it is every individual’s responsibility to contribute to our culture of belonging.
Advancing the mission and vision of Wichita State University takes a strong team, and it is our core values that unite and empower us to reach our goals together. Collectively, we are passionate about education and opening doors to new opportunities by working together to “elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University through engagement and philanthropy.”
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with a disability in completing the application form or in the interview process. Please notify the Human Resources Office at (316) 978-3815 or email [email protected] in advance so necessary arrangements can be made.
To Apply:
Please fill out an application, submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interests in, and qualifications for, the position.
WSUFAE is an EOE employer
With a team of more than 50 dedicated individuals working to support fundraising and donor and alumni relationships, the WSUFAE is proud to champion the continued growth of Wichita State University. With nearly $400 million in managed assets and thousands of alumni spread around the world, it is an exciting time to be a part of advancing Shocker Nation.
The job duties for this position include:
- Principal Giving & Fundraising
- Implement a strategic plan to grow principal gift revenue ($250,000+), including personal and team solicitations.
- Partner with Data Sciences to identify and prioritize high-potential donors.
- Collaborate with the donor engagement team to create strategies and ensure appropriate documentation of activity in the CRM system for principal giving donors and prospects.
- Team Development/Management:
- Provide vision and leadership to the principal giving team, ensuring alignment with WSUFAE and WSU priorities.
- Recruit, train, and mentor high-performing team of principal giving officers and support staff through the establishment and monitoring of team goals, ensuring accountability and consistent progress towards fundraising targets.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, excellence, and innovation within the principal giving team and across WSUFAE.
- Strategic Collaboration
- Collaborate with the SVP of Development and other leaders to support capital campaigns and targeted fundraising efforts.
- Serve as a key thought partner on fundraising strategy and principal gift portfolio management.
- Portfolio Management & Donor Relations
- Maintain a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects, conducting regular cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship check-ins to build deep relationships to align donor interests with university needs.
- Coordinate strategic engagement opportunities with university leaders to support donor relations.
- Ensure high-quality donor experiences through tailored communications, events, and recognition.
- Stewardship and Engagement:
- Partner with the Office of Alumni & Stakeholder Engagement to align stewardship and recognition efforts.
- Ensure consistency in messaging, gratitude, and follow-up for all principal gift donors.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Proven leadership experience in major and/or principal giving, with a record of securing principal gifts of six figures and more
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and credibility among high-net-worth individuals and institutional leaders
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet challenging and changing deadlines
- Ability to develop and execute sophisticated strategies for securing transformational gifts
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision-making
- Commitment to the WSUFAE core values of Integrity, Service, Excellence and Collaboration
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Key Metrics for Success
- Total Principal gift revenue
- Growth in donor engagement and average gift size
- Conversion of major donors into principal donors
- Progress towards team and individual performance goals
- Number of successful engagements involving the President and CEO, university president, board members, and other senior leaders in cultivation or solicitation efforts
Skills
- Strong leadership and team management skills, with a focus on collaboration and professional development
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- High degree of professionalism, ethical sensitivity, and discretion; ability to maintain a commitment to confidentiality; good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills
- Strong organizational, project management, and analytical skills with the ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans
- Ability to lead groups and projects as well as function as part of a collaborative team.
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues from a variety of disciplines
- Enthusiasm for WSUFAE’s mission and values, with a deep commitment to advancing its priorities through philanthropy
Physical Requirements
- Frequent and sudden movements from sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and walking
- Frequent standing or sitting for prolonged periods
- Occasional climbing of stairs
- Occasional lifting up to 40 pounds
- Frequent exposure to outdoors and hot and inclement weather
- Frequent ability to travel (fly/drive/train or other public transportation – day and overnight)
Preferred Requirements and Skills
- Graduate degree from an accredited institution
- Knowledge of Wichita State University and a commitment to higher education.
WSUFAE believes in the power of education. Since 1965, we have worked to connect the students, faculty, and staff of Wichita State University with the resources they need to transform their communities. Our dedicated staff includes members of the development, annual fund, finance, support, and student teams. We have accomplished big goals in the last few years and don't plan to slow down anytime soon.
With a mission built on our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, and service, we strive to be an inclusive and equitable work environment. Managers are expected to model this behavior by clearly setting expectations and directly addressing non-inclusive behavior. In our pursuit to build and maintain a high-performing team, it is every individual’s responsibility to contribute to our culture of belonging.
Advancing the mission and vision of Wichita State University takes a strong team, and it is our core values that unite and empower us to reach our goals together. Collectively, we are passionate about education and opening doors to new opportunities by working together to “elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University through engagement and philanthropy.”
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with a disability in completing the application form or in the interview process. Please notify the Human Resources Office at (316) 978-3815 or email [email protected] in advance so necessary arrangements can be made.
To Apply:
Please fill out an application, submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interests in, and qualifications for, the position.
WSUFAE is an EOE employer
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